2007 Nissan Sentra 2.0S Review

Two weeks ago we reviewed Toyota’s freshly redone Corolla, a
conservative, sedate, upwardly mobile sedan that has evolved from compact
to midsize. This week it’s Nissan’s entry in that class, the
newly redesigned fifth-generation Sentra 2.0 S. With gas prices fluctuating
and unpredictable this economical segment of the automobile market is
becoming more and more important. Problem is that’s not where the
corporate profits are. Margins on these smaller cars are so slim that most
manufacturers don’t like to put a lot of resources into their
development or into content. I think that may be changing, particularly in
terms of content.

Our Los Angeles-built “Super Black” test car this week is a
pre-production or prototype model so we’ll need to cut it a little
slack in terms of build quality and some other factors. Our experience with
Nissans this past year or two – and we’ve had quite a lot of
them – has been of first-rate quality of manufacture and design. So
we’ll surely give the benefit of the doubt on this one and probably
have an opportunity for a re-evaluation later.

At first blush the restyled Sentra looks to be just a smaller version of
its larger siblings, Altima and Maxima. The cab forward look that Chrysler
pioneered years ago has become cab forward and rearward as exemplified with
this Sentra. That is, the cabin, looks like it extends from mid-hood to
mid-trunk. The A-pillar slopes steeply forward and the C-pillar, if
extended in its logical conclusion would terminate at the rear bumper. The
tail slopes distinctly forward and the nose is rounded nicely with large
headlight sockets housing multi-reflector halogen lights. It looks
distinctly Nissan.

Inside, the front-wheel-drive Sentra does not look like an economy car.
It’s plenty roomy both front and back, though the trunk sure is
shallow. Ingress and egress are easy. The modern shapes and forms inside do
not reflect the traditional organic shapes common with most small cars. In
fact, I find the dash and immediate surroundings to be mighty modern and
aesthetically distinctive, attractively edgy in fact. Materials are better
than expected. Fit and finish are up to high standards. No longer can even
an economy car get away with anything less. In all regards I find it a good
competitor to the Corolla - except in the engine category.

Sentra’s 2.0-liter, dual overhead-cam, in-line four-cylinder,
rated at 140-hp and 147 lb-ft of torque, has the high tech qualities of the
competitors but it sure is buzzy. On heavy throttle it makes more noise
than the others and intrudes itself on the otherwise serene cabin. Gentle
throttle effort is not so intrusive. Acceleration is adequate. Mileage is
estimated by EPA to be 29 in the city and 36 highway on this 2,900-pound
car, but the built-in data computer said we were getting 27.5 average. This
is an Ultra-low Emissions rated engine/transmission combo.

This Sentra is equipped with the optional Xtronic ™ CVT –
continuously variable transmission. I would prefer the standard 6-speed
stick but for an automatic you can’t beat the CVT for balance between
economy and performance. On sustained full-throttle it’ll rev to
within a few hundred rpm of red line and stay there as speed increases
– rather slowly though I must say.

Handling is good, but nothing special. I wouldn’t try any tricks
with it. Suspension is by independent struts in front and torsion beams
(semi-independent) in the rear. Front vented disc and rear drums stop the
car pretty well. Steering is electronic drive-by-wire. The chassis feels
good and tight. After a bit less than a week with the Sentra we have
nothing to complain about and nothing to brag about. It’s just a
comfortable, competent car derived from a Renault platform. The few little
niggles, like the ignition switch and shifter both of which have minor
catches preventing consistent smooth operation, we’ll attribute to
the pre-production status of this particular test car. Everything else
worked and felt just fine.

The 2007 Sentra comes in three iterations: 2.0, 2.0 S and 2.0 SL. Price
of entry for the 2.0 is $14,700 and includes 15-inch wheels, power windows
and locks, AC with filter, AM/FM/CD with audio input jack and side-impact
air bags. The 2.0S begins at $15,600 and adds 16-inch steel wheels, more
speakers for the audio system, steering wheel controls, remote keyless
entry, trip computer and height-adjustable driver’s seat. The 2.0 SL
comes with the CVT, 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, intelligent keyless
entry, Bluetooth hands-free compatibility and leather appointed seats.

I guess my favorite aspect of the ’07 Sentra is the styling and
design. It looks really great and would fit in to any upscale garage. If
you’re out shopping for an economical little 4-door sedan you ought
to have a look at this one.